Civilisation Collage, Page 333: The tools a sculptor uses become his friends
Civilisation Collage, Page 333: The tools a sculptor uses become his friends
One-of-a-kind, original artwork, 2025
24.5 x 17cm
Paper, PVA, thread
Hand-stitched collage, intended for my recent exhibition at the Barbican Library in London, but unfinished at the time of installation. I used discarded magazines and the book ‘Civilisation’ by Kenneth Clark. First published by John Murray/BBC in 1969, this edition printed in 1971. Bought for 50p from a charity shop.
That’s the book to accompany the ancient TV series, responsible for my questionable early art education (didn’t include female artists). I turned each page (along with old museum magazines, and the like - see below) into a collage.
‘Dinner held in Brunel’s half-completed Thames tunnel. Private collection.’ The artist is uncredited in the book, but it’s ‘Banquet in the Thames Tunnel’ by George Jones, 1827 and it’s now the property of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum. Among the guests were the Duke of Wellington, who became the Prime Minister the following year.
Barbara Hepworth’s hands, photographed by Norman Capener, c1949. Tate Etc, Autumn 2022, Issue 56.
The artwork title comes directly from Clark’s text.
Price includes UK postage, and a 5% donation to Arts Emergency.
Copyright: Alison Aye, 2025.